Oh my god this was so beautiful, I loved every second and every word of it. Wow Annie. This was incredible.

K BMarch 12th, 201510:20 PM

This. was a lot. thank you.

vicvstheworldMarch 12th, 201510:29 PM

this was great!! I’m loving the work Annie is doing here, I’m so glad she’s a writer for you now <3

Annie MokMarch 13th, 20159:31 AM

<3

the_dharma_bumMarch 12th, 201510:29 PM

This is so beautiful!!

PhoebeWithCPMarch 12th, 201511:18 PM

I never commented on an article, but this truly moved me. I have CP too and am LGBTQ+ and I have never felt more seen, more a part of society, more normal than when I read this article. I, too, was too scared to do stupid teenage stuff, but I’m trying now. But I’m trying now and it’s so worth it. Thank you so much for this beautiful piece.

Annie MokMarch 13th, 20159:30 AM

thank you Phoebe! just to be clear, i don’t have CP myself, the fictional protag does. i think my oblique subtitle “this is fiction / this really happened” + that i forgot to have the protagonist referred to by a name that isn’t mine + the first-person PoV might have made that confusing. anyway i hope you make/are making things too and that you continue sharing your voice like you are now, because your voice is infinitely more important than mine when it comes to making narratives that have to do with physical disability. (maybe you want to submit a pitch to rookie? just a suggestion.)

loeie99March 13th, 20151:20 AM

annie, you are so important. i love that you work for rookie, and i love this so much. the images in my mind of the colors and shapes and space of these images are indelible, i can still see the texture of the words. i am going to remember this. i always look forward to everything you make on here, you inspire me so much<3

also, rookie staff- you guys should interveiw jazz jennings! if you dont know who she is, she is a fourteen year old trans girl and activist! she is so brave, beautiful, and amazing- she lets her light shine and by doing that, she gives other people permission to let their lights shine, too. she helps me brave and she teaches me how to love myself. she is changing the world everyday. and its so wonderful to see a trans teen that is thriving despite the struggle bc so often the only trans teens in the media are the ones who kill themselves. their stories are important but they aren't the only ones. thats why i think you guys should interveiw jazz!
pleeease consider it! i love her sooooo much and i think the whole world would benefit from hearing what she has to say here on rookie:)

RemiliuhMarch 13th, 20151:28 AM

i love this oh gosh

The_Idler_WheelMarch 13th, 20152:20 AM

so fucking beautiful!!

3LL3NHMarch 13th, 20157:56 AM

That was brilliantly put together and beautiful writing and a touching story, and I love all of it, especially your voice through the whole thing, Annie. Do you have books of your comics published? Because I would love to own your work…

quequequeMarch 13th, 20158:57 AM

wow, annie, you are so incredibly talented. everything you write here, but this piece especially, gorgeous & moving.

also so happy to see more queer and trans* identified writers on rookie.

AliceSMarch 13th, 20159:16 AM

This is so beautiful, both the look and the words… Oh, the words. I read this hours ago and I’m still not over it. Thank you so much for sharing this with us, Annie.

uncoolteenagerMarch 13th, 20153:32 PM

Gorgeous! so raw

grease.and.cakeMarch 14th, 20156:29 AM

PIC 14 NOW MY DESKTOP BACKGROUND XX

CocoMarch 14th, 20159:21 AM

wow

ddrsMarch 15th, 201511:47 PM

god, this made me cry, so raw and striking a chord a little bit too familiar.

i wanted to say, not because it has something to do with my sexuality, but more because it has so much to do with my sobriety and memories.

but i realize that, in spite of my sexuality being fully “conventional”, i struggle on different levels; the two people who were ever closest to me in terms of emotions and, you know, how a kiss makes you feel, got there because of drugs and how those bend my understandng of intimacy.

needless to say, i cried. i’m still crying. this is one of the most touching things I have ever come across.

About Rookie

Rookie is an online magazine and book series for teenagers. Each month, a different editorial theme drives the writing, photography, and artwork that we publish. Learn more about us here, and find out how to submit your work here!